Vernal, Utah

Literally a dream came true this weekend when Shawn and I went to Vernal, Utah. No one will really understand except for my roommates: Cherly, KaLee, and Bethdany. When we were all roommates together we decided we wanted to visit all of the Temples in Utah-we did good and got to all of them but the Vernal and Monticello Temples. Ever since then (2002) I have been wanting to go to the Vernal Temple. 1. because it was one of the 2 Temples in Utah that I have not been to yet and 2. because it is such a cool Temple too. It was originally a tabernacle that was built by the pioneers back in 1907 and then was going to be torn down many years later but President Hinckley went out to visit the old tabernacle and decided to keep it and turn it into a temple. It was then Dedicated as a Temple in 1997.
Although Shawn was not as excited as I was to travel the 2 1/2 hours to get to Vernal-it turned out to be a fun weekend together. We found a nice hotel to stay at, got to do a session, and enjoyed touring the town out in the middle of Eastern Utah.

I was so happy to finally fulfill this dream of going to the Vernal, Utah Temple after 8 years.

Happy Birthday!

Shawn's dad, Eugene, stopped by our house last Sunday on his way back from Central Utah. His birthday was the day before so we made him a birthday dinner and sang Happy Birthday while we had some chocolate pie. We had a fun visit together and we truly do appreciate everything he does for us. He is a great father and could not ask for a better father-in-law!!!

First Day of Winter Semester

Here is a new picture of Shawn on his first day of Winter Semester-always so handsome

Christmas in Oregon

Shawn and I got to fly home to spend 10 wonderfully filled days in Oregon for Christmas. We stayed pretty busy while in Oregon but also found some to to hang out and relax as well.

Here is how we spent our Christmas break:

~We flew in to Portland on Monday morning after a very bumpy plane ride. We got Pietros Pizza for lunch (my favorite)
~We had a few racquetball tournaments (my first time playing since my knee surgery)
~Did some shopping with Brock, and then with my mom-its always great to shop in Oregon since you dont have to pay any sales tax!
~Got to spend 2 days with Blake and Savannah before they headed out to Idaho for their Christmas with the Browns.
-Got together at the church with all the cousins, aunts, and uncles to play basketball, eat pizza, and make gingerbread houses.
~Spent time with Jared Paul
-Christmas Eve was spent at the Youds for the cousin gift exchange and talent show, as well as the reading of the Nativity story by grandpa Nelson.
-Opened PJs for the girls and NIKE basketball shorts for the boys on Christmas Eve.
~Jared came into the room on Christmas morning as Happy :) as can be-he loves Christmas.
~We all opened our presents one at a time from the youngest to the oldest starting with Kyle.
~ Shawn got very spoiled this year for Christmas: he got an I-Pod Touch, North Face Jacket, new set of Scriptures, football, Ogio backpack, Ski tickets, RC helicopter, $75 worth of gift cards to places to eat (including his favorite: Carls Jr) and $100 worth of I-tunes cards, some clothes, and tools.
~Christmas morning was spent with all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandma and grandpa Nelson coming to our home for breakfast and to play with everyones new toys.
~We visited Grandma, Grandpa, and Jade the day after Christmas.
~Bowling and Sweet Tomatoes with family the day after Christmas.
~Got lots of Oregon snow on Monday and Tuesday.
~Shawn, Brock, Kyle, Brighton, and Brax spent 3 days at the cabin for a "man's weekend" that included skiing on Mt Hood.
~I got very very sick with the flu for 3 days and spent them lying in my parents bed (my favorite place to be when I am sick).
~Sewed some baby blankets and quilts with my mom.
~Did some after Christmas shopping.
~Got together with the siblings and we all cleaned out and organized the storage room for my dad.
~Played some fun family games-including our favorite: Domino's.
~Had a fun evening eating homemade soup and playing "Would You Rather" at grandma and Granada Nelsons house with the Older cousins.
~had lots and lots of football on the TV during Bowl week and even participated in the annual Bowl Pick tournament-Shawn is actually winning that right now.
~Did our laundry, packed up and said good-bye.
~loved every moment in Oregon with our family and cant wait for our next visit back.

Christmas Pictures....in no particular order
Shawn helping Austin with his gingerbread house Jared with his Oregon Ducks Snuggie-its great to keep his arms warm

Grandpa, Grandma, Amy, Jared, Brock, Kyle, Shawn and I

Dad, Jared, and Amy on Christmas morning

Shawn with his new North Face jacket and his I-Pod Touch

Shawn and I Christmas morning

Kyle with his new game, Ticket to Ride-a favorite of ours.

Shawn on Christmas morning with some of his Christmas loot

Dad, Me, Shawn, and Kyle on Christmas morning

Jared opening presents on Christmas morning-he loved opening presents and would get so excited about each new one he opened Brock, Kyle, and Dad with Brocks new gun. Both Brock and Kyle got guns this year

Kyle and Jared

Dad showing us his new calendar with pictures of Jared

Mom showing off a new shirt she opened

And the Christmas Tree this year-one of my favorites because it was over 25 feet tall.

Thanks mom and dad for another wonderful Christmas in Oregon!

Weekend in Evanston

Shawn and I drove up to Evanston for a few days before our Christmas break. Unfortunately I did not take any pictures but we did have a good time.
We met all of Shawn's family there except his older brother, Ben and his family in Texas (and we missed them) and Shawn's little brother, Joseph, who is on his mission in Tennessee. We had a good time all together. We love playing with all of our cute little nieces and nephews. It is always so fun to get together with everyone...and it is nice that it only takes 1 1/2 hours to get up to Evanston too.